Warning of ‘violence on streets’ in the wake of public sector cuts

Published: 17th December, 2010
by TOM FOOT

TOWN Hall leader Cath­erine West told the Tribune last night (Thursday) she fears the government’s “ideological ass­ault” on public services could lead to violence on the streets of Islington.

Speaking after hundreds of protesters marched to a rally at the town hall, the Labour councillor said a “consensus” in Islington – where rich and poor live “harmoniously side by side” – was likely to collapse when cuts hit healthcare, education and affordable housing 

“There are a lot of people who live here but do not think of their neighbours as rich or poor,” she said. “They just get on with it.”

But that consensus would break down if funding to schools and the health service was cut and council tenants lost their right to a secure tenancy, she warned.

“There will be more street homelessness, more begging,” she said. “Just imagine what confusion will reign when GPs take over the NHS budget. Unemployment will rise, people will have more time on their hands and will be desperate. There will be more discontent. It could lead to violence.”

Cllr West does not expect the backlash to be directed at the Labour council. The entire public sector was being “dismantled”, an outrage “much broader” than the actions of many unwilling administrators inside the Town Hall, she said

“The council is dealing with the admin – but it is much broader than the council,” she added. “People realise the changes are so closely tied in with government finances. 

“I am angry. Nothing like this has happened to our community before. I think people also realise that the government has a different set of values to people working in the public sector.”

Cllr West is to write to Tory Chancellor George Osborne to organise a ministerial visit to Islington within two weeks, adding that she would spend the next three months helping “join up” unions, council staff, health workers  and the public to “build up the resistance” and “mobilise”.

• The Government’s spending axe has fallen far harder on deprived areas like Islington than wealthier parts of the country.

In a settlement announced this week, the Coalition sliced 8.8 per cent off Islington’s budget – compared to just 0.6 per cent for better-off Richmond. Isling­ton must cut annual spending on services from £305.3 million to £278.5 million.